Connelly enters mayoral race

Joe Connelly, a first-term Calgary alderman, says he's ready to run the city like a business in announcing a bid for the mayor's chair.

Connelly, a businessman with a commerce degree from the University of Calgary, said City Hall has too many priorities right now.

The Ward 6 representative said there's no bigger symbol of what's wrong with City Hall than the $22-million Peace Bridge footbridge being built to link Eau Claire and Sunnyside for pedestrians and cyclists.

"It'll stand forever as an icon of distrust between City Hall and the citizens of Calgary," he said on Wednesday, pointing out chats with Calgarians inevitably lead to budgeting and the bridge.

"They have a point, I'm frustrated with it too. We did everything we could to try to kill that thing, notices of motion, did everything we could. Calgarians don't want that bridge but now it's too late. It's going ahead."

Elected to city council in 2007, Connelly also promised more downtown parking.

He said he is still fundraising for the $500,000 it will take to fund his mayoralty campaign but doesn't expect any problems in reaching that goal.

Former alderman Jon Lord, businessman Alnoor Kassam and urban chicken activist Paul Hughes have already announced they will campaign for mayor after current Mayor Dave Bronconnier said he would not be running again in the October municipal election.

Ald. Ric McIver is expected to join the race next week.